CONNECT WITH US

Groundbreaking May 13 for Final Phase of USU's Equine Education Center

Thursday, May. 08, 2014

The new facility, located on the Animal Science Farm in Wellsville, will include new classrooms and offices.

The final phase of development at the Sam Skaggs Family Equine Education Center launches on May 13 at 9:30 a.m. with a groundbreaking ceremony at Utah State University’s Animal Science Farm in Wellsville, Utah.

Funded with donations from The ALSAM Foundation, the new addition will include two new classrooms, faculty offices and a new tack room.

“Being in the state of Utah, equine sciences and horses are such a critical part,” said Ron Cutshall, president of The ALSAM Foundation. “The more facilities there are to help the students learn, the better off the students are going to be.”

Currently, the Equine Education Center covers 26 acres including an indoor arena and a 2,400-square-foot barn. In addition to the donation for the new classrooms, funding from The ALSAM Foundation helped in building all of the present facilities with the exception of the indoor arena.

Founded in 1986 by L.S. and Aline W. Skaggs, The ALSAM Foundation aims to support education, medical research and organizations affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church primarily through donations.

Cutshall said the donation to the equine education center was one that interested the group because of the Skaggs family’s long-time involvement with riding and handling horses on their ranch. However, the organization was also interested in the educational benefits it will provide to the students as well, he said.

“In any kind of education, the hands-on approach is where people learn the best,” Cutshall said. “It sinks in, and they remember it better. With the equine facilities there, students can certainly have a hands-on approach to equine education and that’s where the benefit really comes.”

Send your comment or question:

We welcome your response. Your comment or question will be forwarded to the appropriate person. Please be sure to provide a valid email address so we can contact you, if needed. Your response will NOT be published online. Thank you.